Pierce Makes Collision Avoidance Standard

Pierce Manufacturing Inc. has collaborated with HAAS, Inc. to offer digital collision avoidance technology as a standard feature on Appleton, Wisconsin-built custom chassis produced for domestic and Canadian municipal customers, and as an available aftermarket solution for apparatus in service.

HAAS Alert's Safety Cloud works by sending real-time digital alerts from a hardware device mounted within the cab of a fire truck to nearby motorists via mobile navigation apps such as Waze and vehicle infotainment screens. The company's collision avoidance technology sends an alert to a motorist's mobile device if they are in the vicinity of an emergency vehicle that is in route or positioned at the scene.

The risk of collision between a civilian vehicle and an emergency vehicle can be greatly reduced when nearby drivers receive an advanced warning about the hazardous situation, according to a 2013 study from the University of Minnesota.

"Distracted driving continues to be a major concern on roadways as members of fire service put themselves at risk while responding to emergencies both in route and positioned at a scene," said Jim Johnson, president of Pierce Manufacturing. "Working with HAAS Alert enables us to offer an innovative new way to incorporate technology that extends beyond the fire apparatus to support safety protocol for firefighters and members of the communities they serve."

System integration will begin on trucks that are in the production process in early 2020.

Since launching two years ago, the Safety Cloud has delivered more than 100 million driver alerts. The alerts extend the reach of traditional lights and sirens to improve motorist awareness, allowing more time for drivers to make safe maneuvers and comply with Move Over laws.

Industrial Fire World magazine honored Chris Ferrara, owner of US Fire Pump, with its 2019 Red Adair Award in recognition of his accomplishments in improving fire equipment used in industrial firefighting.

Pierce Manufacturing’s newest fire truck, the Pierce High Flow Industrial Apparatus, is capable of flowing 5,500 gallons per minute when drafting, and up to 10,000 gallons per minute when drawing from a pressurized water source.

Responders reached a big flow of 49,000 gallons per minute from an array of deluge guns, pumps and large diameter hose lines during a June training operation by the New Jersey Urban Area Security Initiative Neptune Task Force.

In FDNY manuals, there are techniques to use ladders to: bridge over alleyways (also used over excavations), to replace burnt-out stairs, and to bridge over fences (utilizing two ladders lashed together).